ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Defence
Indian Navy conducts Joint Exercise with Army and Air Force
A large-scale tri-service joint amphibious exercise AMPHEX – 21 was conducted in Andaman & Nicobar group of islands from 21 – 25 Jan 2021. The exercise involved participation of Naval ships, amphibious troops of the Army and different types of aircraft from the Air force.
The exercise was aimed at validating India’s capabilities to safeguard the territorial integrity of it’s island territories. It also sought to enhance operational synergy and joint warfighting capabilities amongst the three Services.
The exercise involved multi-faceted maritime operations by synergised employment of amphibious assault ships, surveillance platforms, execution of maritime air strikes and complex manoeuvres at sea. Airborne insertion of Marine Commandos of Navy and Special Forces of the Army, naval gunfire support, amphibious landing of forces and follow-on operations also formed part of the exercise.
Ex KAVACH for defence of Andaman & Nicobar Islands formed a part of AMPHEX – 21. A joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance exercise under the aegis of HQ Integrated Defence Staff was also run concurrently to achieve Maritime Domain Awareness by employment of a multitude of sensors.
Ministry of Finance
Repayment of ‘3.96% GS 2022’
The outstanding balance of ‘3.96% GS 2022’ is repayable at par on November 09, 2022. No interest will accrue thereon from the said date. In the event of a holiday being declared on repayment day by any State Government under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, the Loan/s will be repaid by the paying offices in that State on the previous working day.
As per sub-regulations 24 and 24 of Government Securities Regulations, 2007 payment of maturity, proceeds to the registered holder of Government Security held in the form of Subsidiary General Ledger or Constituent Subsidiary General Ledger account or Stock Certificate, shall be made by a pay order incorporating the relevant particulars of his bank account or by credit to the account of the holder in any bank having facility of receipt of funds through electronic means. For the purpose of making payment in respect of the securities, the original subscriber or the subsequent holders of such Government Securities, shall submit the relevant particulars of their bank account well in advance. However, in the absence of relevant particulars of bank account/mandate for receipt of funds through electronic means, to facilitate repayment of the Loan on the due date, holders may tender the securities, duly discharged, at the Public Debt Offices, Treasuries/Sub-Treasuries and branches of State Bank of India  20 days in advance of the due date for repayment.
Full details of the procedure for receiving the discharge value may be obtained from any of the aforesaid paying offices.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India’s COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage exceeds 37.21 Cr
42,766 Daily New Cases reported in last 24 hours
India's Active Caseload currently at 4,55,033; constitutes 1.48% of total cases
Daily Positivity Rate  less than 5% for over a month
India’s cumulative vaccination coverage crossed 37crore yesterday. A total of 37,21,96,268 vaccine doses have been administered through 48,04,423sessions, as per the provisional report till 7 am today. 30,55,802 vaccine doses were administered in the last 24 hours.
These include:
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1,02,44,459
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
73,84,439
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1,76,51,159
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
98,42,138
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
11,00,15,954
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
35,15,490
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
9,29,29,982
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
2,27,96,218
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
6,99,01,188
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
2,79,15,241
|
|
Total
|
|
37,21,96,268
The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from 21st June, 2021. The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country.
India has reported 42,766 daily new cases in the last 24 hours.
Less than 50,000 Daily New Cases have been reported since thirteen continuous days. This is a result of sustained and collaborative efforts by the Centre and the States/UTs.
India’s Active Caseload today stands at 4,55,033 and active cases are now only 1.48% of the country's total Positive Cases.
Out of the people infected since the beginning of the pandemic, 2,99,33,538 people have already recovered from COVID-19 and 45,254 patients have recovered in the last 24 hours. This constitutes an overall recovery rate of 97.20%, which is showing a sustained increasing trend.
With substantially ramped up testing capacity across the country, a total of 19,55,225tests were conducted in the last 24 hours in the country. Cumulatively, India has conducted over 42.90 crore  tests so far.
While on one side testing capacity has been enhanced across the country, a continued decline in weekly case positivity is noticed. Weekly Positivity Rate is currently at 2.34% while the Daily Positivity rate stands at 2.19% today. Daily Positivity rate has remained less than 3% for 19 consecutive days, and has remained below 5% for 33 consecutive days now.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Sports Minister Shri Anurag Singh Thakur will kick start the first edition of Khelo India U21 Women’s Hockey League tomorrow
India’s U21 hockey talent to get additional competitive exposure through Khelo India League
Key Highlight
- Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has designed this league to give emerging talent an additional opportunity to gain competitive exposure
- The first edition of Khelo India U21 Women’s Hockey Leaguewill be organised from December 15th to 21st December 2021
Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Anurag Singh Thakur will inaugurate the first edition ofKhelo India U21 Women’s Hockey Leagueat the iconic MajorDhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi on Wednesday. The league will be organisedfrom December 15thto 21st December 2021. Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has designed this league to give emerging talent an additional opportunity to gain competitive exposure.
Organised by the Sports Authority of India in collaboration with Hockey India, the first phase of the 14-team League will get rolling with a match between Odisha Naval Tata Hockey High Performance Centre, Bhubaneswar and Raja Karan Hockey Academy, Karnal.
The Indian Junior team, preparing for the FIH Women’s Junior Hockey World Cup, will star favourites while two Sports Authority of India squads will want to steal a march on the other sides in the competition. A total of 14 teams will be vying for honours over the course of seven days here.
There is palpable excitement in the women’s hockey fraternity and that is best reflected by former India captain Pritam Rani Siwach. “This is a great opportunity for players from across the country to showcase their talent against the best teams in the country,” said Pritam Siwach, an Arjuna Award winner in 1998 who was bestowed the Dronacharya Award last month.
“I am sure all teams will want to put their best foot forward, even though they are aware that the India Junior team and the two Sports Authority of India sides can be formidable. The League gives the players the chance to battle with the best sides in a competition in which each match can produce quality hockey,” she said.
The second phase of the tournament will be held at the SAI Centre in Lucknow, before the teams move to the Kalinga Stadium Bhubaneswar, for the climactic stage. The League will sustain the interest in women’s hockey, sparked by the fourth-place finish attained by the Indian team in the Olympic Games in Tokyo earlier this year.
The teams have been divided into two groups as follows:
Group A: India Juniors, Sports Authority of India B, New Delhi; Odisha Naval Tata Hockey High Performance Centre, Bhubaneswar; Khalsa Hockey Academy, Amritsar; Mumbai Schools Sports Association, Raja Karan Hockey Academy and Him Academy, Vikas Nagar .
Group B: Sports Authority of India A, New Delhi; Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy, Bhopal; Har Hockey Academy, Sonipat; Jai Bharat Hockey Academy, Delhi; Pritam Siwach Hockey Academy, Sonipat; Sports Hostel, Bhubaneswar and Delhi Hockey.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
DG, BIS inaugurates Referral Assay Laboratory in Mumbai
Section of Packaged Drinking Water testing facility also inaugurated
Mumbai, 12 March 2022
Director General of Bureau of Indian Standards Sh Pramod Kumar Tiwari, IAS inaugurated a referral assay laboratory yesterday on 11-03-2022. The occasion was graced by Dr R K Jha, Scientist G & Deputy Director General .
Along with the referral assay, new modernized Instrumentation Laboratory of Chemical section of Western Regional Office Laboratory having testing facilities for Packaged Drinking Water was also inaugurated.
The Director General of BIS also inaugurated the beginning of renovation work of Western Regional Office Laboratory of Bureau of Indian Standards at Andheri East, Mumbai.
The Referral Assay Laboratory has been established to test the yellow gold samples of 22, 18 & 14 Carat of gold drawn from jewellers of the western region catering to the states of Maharashtra and Gujrat.
The modernization of WROL Mumbai and setting up of referral assay laboratory will ensure the availability of quality BIS certified goods to the consumers by enabling their testing as per Indian Standards.
Bureau of Indian Standards, the National Standards Body of India is running a Gold Hallmarking Scheme for ensuring the purity of Gold Jewellery and Articles to the common consumers.
In order to ensure the purity, the hallmarked gold items are tested in the referral assay laboratories of BIS. A sophisticated laboratory with complete testing of Gold Articles has been established in Western Regional Office Laboratory , Andheri East, Mumbai of BIS.
Ministry of Earth Sciences
Wet spell over Northwest & adjoining Central India, during 03rd-05th February, 2021 and Bihar and Jharkhand 5-6 Feb, with peak activity on 3 and 4 February over Western Himalayan Hills on 4 and 5 February in the plains
Abatement of Cold Wave from Northwest India from 2nd Feb and dense fog, Cold Wave & Cold Day conditions from east Uttar Pradesh and Bihar from 3-4 Feb
According to the National Weather Forecasting Centre of the India Meteorological Department :
Meteorological analysis:
o The Western Disturbance as a cyclonic circulation in lower tropospheric levels lies over Afghanistan with a trough aloft with its axis at middle tropospheric levels running along Long. 60°E to the north of Lat. 32°N.
o An induced cyclonic circulation lies over central Pakistan & adjoining West Rajasthan in lower tropospheric levels.
o These systems are likely to affect weather over northwest Himalayan region from night of 2nd Feb 2021.
- The confluence of southwesterlies in association with the above Western Disturbance and lower level southeasterlies is very likely over the plains of northwest & adjoining areas of central India during 3-5 February, 2021.
Forecast & Warnings:
o Under the influence of above systems, Scattered to fairly widespread light to moderate rain/snow with isolated thunderstorm, lightning & hail very likely over Western Himalayan region during 2nd night to 05th February. Isolated heavy rainfall/snowfall is likely over Jammu & Kashmir on 3rd & 4th and over Himachal Pradesh on 4th Feb.
o Isolated to fairly widespread light to moderate rain/thundershowers with isolated lightning & hailstorm likely over plains of Northwest India during 03rd-05th February, over Madhya Pradesh during 04th-05th February and over East Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand during 05th-06th February, 2021.
o Gradual rise in Minimum temperatures very likely over most parts of Northwest and adjoining Central India during next 3-4 days and the current spell of Cold Wave conditions prevailing over parts of north west India is likely to abate during next 24 hours from 2 Feb 2021. As the WD likely to move further towards northern parts of Uttar Pradesh-northern parts Bihar, by 4th Feb, current spell of cold wave, cold day, Dense to Very Dense Fog observed presently at morning at isolated to some pockets over eastern parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar also like to be abated/lifted from 3-4 Feb 2021.
Please CLICK HERE for details:
Kindly download MAUSAM APP for location specific forecast & warning, MEGHDOOT APP for Agromet advisory and DAMINI APP for Lightning Warning & visit state MC/RMC websites for district wise warning.
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh discusses steps to expedite the Corona sample testing procedure in Jammu & Kashmir
J&K fared better than other States/UTs in COVID management: Dr. Singh
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh today discussed steps to expedite the Corona sample testing procedure in Jammu & Kashmir. In an over one and half hour long meeting with senior officers of Jammu & Kashmir Health Department as well as Heads and faculty members of Government Medical Colleges and SKIMS, Dr Jitendra Singh emphasised the need to respond to the popular demand to make the Corona sample testing more time bound and to reassure the people offering their samples that they would not be subject to any unwarranted delay or inconvenience. He also appealed to the general public to be more forthright and accurate in entering their details like name, mobile number etc while filling up the form so that their report did not get delayed on account of mismatched information.
Through a power point presentation, Financial commissioner  Atal Dulloo briefed the Minister about the current status of a number of tests being carried in each of the designated testing centres and the projected increase in the number of tests in the days to come. He said that having begun with about 100 samples per day, the number of samples has now gone to several thousand per day.
Atal Dulloo further informed that with the introduction of ICMR App since yesterday, it may be possible to maintain the time limit of around three days for the sample test report to be received. He also expressed satisfaction that with the centre's active support, now there is no shortage of PPE kits and N-95 face masks or sanitisers.
Dr Jitendra Singh insisted that with little more perseverance, it may be possible to further reduce the average time taken to get the test report received and also called for expeditious clearance of the backlog.
The issue of the facility at the quarantine centres also came up for discussion. Dr Jitendra Singh suggested that using their discretion and prudence, the local authorities should ensure that the standards of hygiene are adhered to during quarantine. He stressed on the need to frequently interact with public and respond to their inputs on various issues related to quarantine and Corona management.
While appreciating the Health authorities and medical fraternity, Dr Jitendra Singh observed that Jammu & Kashmir had fared better than many other States/Union Territories of the country and there was statistical evidence to testify this. He said, the doubling time in J&K is higher than the other States/UTs of the country and the number of tests being held every day has constantly stood among first three in the country.
Others who offered their views included Director SKIMS Dr Ayengar, Principal Government Medical College Srinagar, Dr Samia, Principal Government Medical College Jammu Dr N C Dingra, Director Health Srinagar and Director Health Jammu. Principals of other Government Medical Colleges and their faculty were also present during the meeting.
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Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Sports Minister Shri Anurag Singh Thakur felicitates medal winning Compound and Recurve archers
The Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Anurag Singh Thakur on Tuesday felicitated the medal-winning Recurve and Compound archers, who bagged laurels for the country from the World Championships Berlin and World Cup 2023 Stage 4 in Paris. The international tournaments were held this August.
While India bagged a total of 5 medals  in Paris, a total of 4 medals  were clinched in the Berlin event.
On Tuesday, a total of 13 archers were present in the felicitation ceremony, including history makers Aditi Gopichand Swami and Ojas Pravin Deotale. While Aditi, a Khelo India athlete, became not only the youngest Archery World Champion but also became the first Indian woman to win Gold in the World Championships, Ojas Pravin Deotale became the first Indian male archer to win a gold in the Archery World Championships.
Addressing the talented archers, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur mentioned, “I want to congratulate all of you for your performance. The research team has analysed your performance and I am happy that your trend of good results is continuing.”
Mentioning about the beautiful bonhomie shared by the archers in the camp, Shri Thakur added, “The team spirit is all that matters and I am proud to note that not only coaches but also the seniors helped the juniors in shaping mental toughness and preparedness. The way a seasoned senior like Abhishek Verma motivated, inspiring and kept guiding a youngster like Ojas Pravin during the competition is commendable.
“The road ahead is long with Asian Games, Olympic Qualifier events and finally leading to Paris Olympics. All these tournaments are very important. A medal has all of us Indians’ feelings and a simple medal opens up the possibilities for many successes,” the Hon’ble Minister added.
Some of the other archers who were a part of the event on Tuesday included Target Olympic Podium Scheme athletes Dhiraj Bommadevara, Bhajan Kaur, Simranjeet Kaur and Ankita Bhakat.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Relaxation in Visa and Travel restrictions to permit certain categories of Foreign Nationals to come to India
Government of India has considered the matter regarding relaxation of the visa & travel restrictions for certain categories of foreign nationals who need to come to India. It has been decided to permit the following categories of foreign nationals to come to India:-
- Foreign businessmen coming to India on a Business visa  in non-scheduled commercial/ chartered flights.
- Foreign Healthcare professionals, health researchers, engineers and technicians for technical work at Indian health sector facilities, including laboratories and factories. This is subject to a letter of invitation from a recognized and registered healthcare facility, registered pharmaceutical company or accredited University in India.
- Foreign Engineering, Managerial, Design or other Specialists travelling to India on behalf of foreign business entities located in India. This includes all manufacturing units, design units, software and IT units as well as financial sector companies .
- Foreign Technical specialists and engineers travelling for installation, repair and maintenance of foreign-origin machinery and equipment facilities in India, on the invitation of a registered Indian business entity. These could be for equipment installation, or is under warranty, or for after sales servicing or repair on commercial terms.
The above categories of foreign nationals would have to obtain a fresh Business visa or Employment visa, as applicable, from the Indian Missions/ Posts abroad. Foreign nationals holding a valid long term multiple entry Business visa [other than B-3 visa for sports] issued by the Indian Missions/ Posts abroad would have to get the Business visa re-validated from the Indian Mission/ Post concerned. Such foreign nationals would not be permitted to travel to India on the strength of any electronic visa obtained earlier.
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Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh says, pregnant women employees and Divyang employees have been exempted from attending office due to rising COVID cases
Briefing about the guidelines issued by the Department of Personnel and Training  in the wake of the third wave of the pandemic, Union Minister of State  Science & Technology; Minister of State  Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh today said that pregnant women employees and Divyang employees have been exempted from attending office. However, they will be required to remain available and work from home.
All officials and staff living in the Containment Zone shall also be exempted from coming to office till the time Containment Zone is denotified, he added.
The Minister further informed that the physical attendance of government servants below the level of Under Secretary has been restricted to 50% of the actual strength and the remaining 50% shall work from home. Roster will be prepared accordingly by all the departments concerned, he added.
However, the Minister said, the officials/staff who are not attending the office and are working from home shall remain available on telephone and other electronic means of communications at all times.
In view of the rapid spread of the Virus infection, Dr Jitendra Singh said that a DoPT O.M. has been issued with the advice that the official meetings shall be conducted as far as possible through video conferencing. Similarly, personal meetings with visitors are to be avoided, unless absolutely necessary, he said.
In order to avoid overcrowding in the office premises, the Minister said, the officials/staff shall follow staggered timings i.e.,  9 am to 5.30 p.m. and  10 am to 6.30 p.m.
Meanwhile, DoPT has advised all the officers/staff to ensure strict compliance of COVID-appropriate behaviour i.e. frequent washing of hands/sanitisation, wearing face mask/face cover and observing social distancing all the time.
Proper cleaning and sanitisation of the workplace, particularly frequently touched surfaces, may also be ensured.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that the guidelines issued as per the DoPT O.M. will remain in force till 31st January 2022. In the meantime, regular review will be carried out from time to time and the guidelines may be revised accordingly depending on the situation.
Prime Minister's Office
PM condoles demise of former Chief Justice of India, Shri RC Lahoti
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has expressed deep grief over the demise of former Chief Justice of India, Shri RC Lahoti.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
"Anguished by the passing away of former CJI Shri RC Lahoti Ji. He will be remembered for his contributions to the judiciary and emphasis on ensuring speedy justice to the underprivileged. Condolences to his family and well-wishers. Om Shanti."
Prime Minister's Office
Empowering the Vanchit in the Amrit Kaal
In today’s rapidly developing world, poverty remains a crucial concern for governments worldwide. In a developing nation like India, it is challenging for the government to mitigate poverty. The union government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has focused on social welfare for all with PM Modi’s motto of ‘Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas’. Since 2014, multiple initiatives have been launched by the government to ensure that no one is left behind and make sure that the impact and benefits of growth and progress reach all sections of society. In the last nine years, the efficient implementation of various government initiatives with the universalisation of targeted benefits has resulted in inclusive development across the nation.
The Prime Minister Office has shared an article from the Prime Minister's website.
"Mitigating poverty through Financial Inclusion and Direct Benefit Transfer, with the motto of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'.
#9YearsOfGaribKalyan"